WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer released the following statement this afternoon in response to President Bush’s comments on the economy today in El Dorado, Arkansas:

“It’s ironic that President Bush casts the upcoming presidential election as a choice between moving forward and moving backward, and then immediately launches into a backward-looking list of excuses for his failed economic policies.

“People don’t want to hear excuses. They want to know: With 2.5 millions jobs gone, what is the President’s plan to create jobs in the future?

“The President touts the 300,000 jobs created last month, but neglects to mention that the unemployment rate actually increased. He claims to want to double the number of workers receiving job training but declines to offer the resources to actually make that happen.

“The people of El Dorado, Arkansas – with an unemployment rate of 9.1% – wanted to hear the President articulate a positive, forward-looking plan for job creation. Instead, all they got was another feel good forum where the President doles out pats on the back and excuses.”